AFC Bournemouth Women cruised to an 8-0 victory away against Newbury this afternoon.

Returning to league action for the first time since mid-October, Erin Thickett, Becky Miles and Rosie Eden all bagged braces, while Katie Kingshott and Maisy Smith also netted for the Cherries.

Steve Cuss’ side started strongly and had the lead within two minutes, as Thickett drove a low shot beyond the Newbury ‘keeper from inside the area.

The visitors’ lead was doubled just two minutes later, after Eden bagged her first of the afternoon, with her effort from close range finding the top corner.

It was then over to Miles to add the third following some brilliant work from Abby Jones down the right. She dribbled her way through the midfield, before teeing up the forward who converted from 20 yards.

A similar pattern of play followed just before the half hour mark, but this time it was Kingshott with the long-range effort that found the corner.

With the break approaching, the Cherries capitalised on chances twice more in the opening period.

Firstly, Miles added her second, after the Newbury ‘keeper deflected the ball into her own net, before Eden pounced on a rebound from Meg Vella’s powerful shot.

After the interval, Cuss’ side were after more and the first came through Smith, who converted Hannah Bennett’s deep free-kick.

Chances then came for Jones and Larissa White, but a string of impressive saves kept the visitors at bay on numerous occasions.

However, there was time for the Cherries to add an eighth through Thickett. White saw her well-angled header saved down low, before the winger came racing in to fire home the rebound.

AFC Bournemouth are now unbeaten in their five league games of the season and top the Southern Region Women’s Premier League with 15 points. 

Read Steve Cuss' post-match reaction here.